Automatic feeding table



Oct. 31, 1933. L, ucy 1,933,275

AUTOMATIC FEEDING TABLE Filed Feb. 11 1935 INVENTOR A THONY L. MELUCCI ATTORNEY the direction of the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. tended over a pulley 27 mounted upon the frame Fatented Oct. 31, 1933 1 UNIT stars; PATENT OFFI AUTGMATIC FEEDING TABLE- Anthony L. Melucci, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application February 11, 1933. Serial No. 656,379-

7 Claims. (CI. -26) This invention relates to new and useful im- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken Y provements in an automatic feeding table adapton the line 7-'7 of Fig. l. I ed to feed the armless. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary planview of a portion The invention has for its main object the conof the table which is adapted to receive the 5 struction of a feeding table which is characterfeeding plate. ized by selective automatic feedingwith a spoon, Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line.

a fork and a knife arranged in a novel manner 9-9 of Fig. 8. in conjunction with a mechanism adapted to Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the feeding hold a plate in various rotative positions. table. v 10 Still further the invention contemplates the The automatic feeding table according to this arran ement of a depressible plunger adapted invention comprises a table 10 of any design to be depressed by ones chest and connected for and construction which is provided with some rotating a plate or other dish upon the table base structure such as a transverse board 11. A so that the, various implements such as the plate 12 is'adapted tobe placed upon the table 15 spoon, fork etc. may be used effectively. at the center of one of the sides so that a person 0 Still further the invention proposes an arseated adjacent this side may eat food from the rangernent whereby a source of power such as plate as hereinafter fully described. The plate an electric motor is arranged stationary upon 12 is formed with a bottom circular portion 13 the table and is connected to be selectively conhaving peripheral teeth 14 and adapted to be en- 20 nected for operating any one of the implements. gaged into a circular recess 15 formed upon the 7 5 Still further an arrangement is proposed top of the table. A rack bar 16 is slidably mount- Whereby the various implements mentioned are ed through the edge of the table and is so arselectively disposed immediately above the plate ranged that its teeth mesh with the teeth. 14. of food andin such a position to automatically The rack bar 16 is normally urged outwards by connect with said prime movement. a springl'l arranged upon it and acting between Still further the invention proposes the prothe edge of the table and a head 18 onthe exvision of means for moving a carriage carrying tremity of the rack bar. Aperson seated by the said implements into any one of the several table may lean forward's'o that the chest depositions controlled by a plurality of depressible presses the rack bar 16 and so turn the plate 12 buttons arranged in a row upon the base of the to any desired amount necessary for proper actable in a maner so as to be operable selectively tion of the spoon, fork and knife as hereinafter by ones foot. fully described. 7 Still further the invention proposes the 0011- A horizontal bevel gear 19 is located a slight struction of a device as mentioned which is simdistance above the top of the table and is fixed ple and durable and which may be manufacupon a vertical shaft 20 extending through the 0 tured and sold at a reasonable cost. table. This vertical shaft connects with a speed For further comprehension of the invention, reduction gear 21 connected with an electric moand of the objects and advantages thereof, reftor 22 attached upon the bottom of the table. erence will be had to the following description A switch 23 is shown mounted upon the base board 40 and accompanying drawing, and to the append- 11 and is electrically connected for operating ed claims in which the various novel features of the motor 22 and itself is operable by the foot the invention are more particularly set forth. of a person seated at a table. The electric cir- In the accompanying drawing forming a ma- 'cuit between the switch 23 and the motor 22 is terial part of this disc1osure:- not shown nor described since it will readily be 45 Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a feeding understoodby any electrician and forms no part table constructed according to this invention. of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. 1. A frame 24 is mounted upon the table and ex- Fig.3 is a fragmentary vertical sectionallview tends substantially across the entire width of taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. the table at the side where the armless person 50 Fi 4 is a fra m ary r d s ti na vi w is seated. A carriage 25 is slidably mounted upon taken on the line 4 -4 of Fig. l. the frame 24. A leg controlled means is pro- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view lookvided for moving the carriage to various posiing in the direction of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. tions upon the frame and comprises a cable 26 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view looking in attached upon one side of the carriage and ex 1D 24, and further extending through the table and carrying a plurality of counterweights 28 adapted to normally urge the carriage into one extreme position. Another cable 29 is attached to the other side of the carriage and extends over a pulley 30 mounted upon the frame 24 and terminates in a plurality of branch cables 31 each selectively connected with different solenoids 32, 33 and 34.

These solenoids have different length of strokes so that when, for example, solenoid 32 is operated one of the branches 31 is drawn a certain distance for drawing a cable 29 a corresponding distance and moving the carriage the same distance. Similarly the operation of the solenoid 33 causes the carriage to be moved a different distance and finally the operation of the solenoid 34 moves the carriage still another distance. The

' various branch cables 31 are extended over an idler pulley 35 mounted upon one of the legs of the table. The solenoids 32, 33 and 34 are mounted upon a small platform 36 supported on the base board 11. mounted upon the base board 11 and are adapted for operation by ones foot. There is a switch 37 for each of the'solenoids arranged in circuits for selectively controlling the operation of the solenoids. These circuits are not shown nordescribed since they will be readily understood by any electrician andform no part of the invention.

'A substantially horizontal feeding spoon 38 for automatic operation in relation to the plate 12 is; mounted with a ball and socket joint 39 upon the carriage 25. More particularly the ball and socket joint 39 is arranged on an extending casing portion 40-of the carriage. A shaft 41 extends through the casing 40 and at one end is provided with a bevel gear 42 adapted in a certain position of the carriage 25 to mesh with the bevel gear 19 The other end of the shaft 41 carries ,a gear 43 which has some of its teeth missing as clearly shown in Fig. 5. gear 43 meshes with the gear 44 rotatively mounted in the casing 40 and the inner end of the spoon 39 connects at the point 45 eccentrically with the gear 2 position but it should be noticed that the spoon will fill up with the liquid within the plate 12 during its motion.

' A feeding fork 46 is mounted upon the arm 38' projecting from anothercasing projection 40. The arm 38 is very similar to the spoon 38 except of co ee for its individual construction. Its mounting is identical, that is, it is provided with a ball and socket joint and is connected with mechanism within the-casing identical to the mechanism used for causing the spoon38 to operate. The freeend of the arm 38 is formed with a clamp portion 47 by which the fork: 46v is clamped into position. Thedetails of the other operating mechanism of the fork will not be given here since they will read ily be understood, but particular attention is called to'Fig. 2 whereinit shouldbe noticed; that a bevel: gear identical to the bevel. gear 42 previously described is adapted to be engaged with the horizontal. gear l9-- to cause operation of the A line of switches 3'? are fork mechanism in a certain position of the car'- riage 25.

Disc cutting knives 48 are also mounted upon the carriage 25 and more particularly upon the shaft mounted within a casing 50 pivotally supported on a shaft 51 upon a supplementary casing projecting from the carriage 25. The supplementary casing 52 supports the shaft 41 which is provided at one end with the bevel gear 42 adapted in a certain position of the carriage to mesh with the gear 19 and at the other end supports a pulley wheel 53 connected by a belt 54 with a pulley 55 upon the shaft 51. Another pulley wheel 56 is also fixed upon the shaft 51 and connects with a belt 57 engaged with a pulley 58 mounted upon the shaft .A spring 59 acts between the supplementary casing 52 and the casing 51 so as to normally hold the casing 50 in a raised position. This raised position is limited by the fact that the upper side of the casing 50 abutts against the lower edge of the casing 52 at the point 60.

A glass supporting cup 61 is also mounted upon the carriage 25 and more particularly is provided with a pair of trunnions 62 mounted upon a vertical casing 63 projecting from. the carriage 25. Springs 64 are mounted upon the trunnion 62 and act so as to normally hold the glass receiving tumbler 61 in a vertical position.

The operation of the device is as follows:The

waiter sets the plate 12 upon the table before the person so that the teeth 14 engage within the recess 13 in a manner to mesh with the rack 16.

Assume that the contents of the plate is a liquid.

In this particular case the carriage 25 is already in the correct position as clearly shown in Fig. 1

so that it is merely necessary for the person to the motor 22 are transmitted to rotate the bevel gear 19 and then torotate the-gear 42. Rotations I from the gear 42 are transmitted to cause periodical rotation of the gear 44 and consequently periodical motion of the spoon 38 around in a cirole.

in the circle fills up with the liquid; The spoon pauses at a certa n son an opportunity to remove its contents.

Assume that. the" next course is a solid food. The waiter removes the plate 12 and replaces a similar plate containing the solid food. The

person dining then closes one of the switches?! to actuate the solenoid 33 so as to move the carriage 25 into a positionin which the knives48 are position. w. ichgives the per- The spoon 38 maintains the hori- -1 zontal position and upon complete. rotation directly over the plate. Then with the chin the 1 person bears down upon the casing 50' so asto plish the cutting. If the knives cannot reach some of the solid food within the plate the person presses with the chest against the plunger 16 and so rotates the plate into a posiion in which the I knivescan reach'the food.

Next another oneof the switches 38 is closed for energizing the solenoid 32'and thefir'st switch released for deenergizing the solenoid- 33'.

position in which the bevel 46 is in condition for operation in conjunction'with the plate. Now rotations from the gear 13 are transmitted t'othe gear 42 of. the fork mechanismand then through the various mechanism withinthe casing 40-which Thecounterweights 23 move the carriage back into a M mechanism is identical to that illustrated in Fig. 4 and finally to the arm 38' which is caused to move around periodically ina circle with'the fork and lifts up a piece of solid food. When the fork pauses in its motion the food must be removed by the mouth. If the fork cannot reach some of the food within the plate the person bears with the chest against the plunger 16 to cause the plate to rotate and in this manner the range of operation of the fork will be increased.

The waiter also places a glass of water within the holder 61 and the person may have a drink by closing the switch 37 which will energize the solenoid 34 andwill move the carriage 25 into a position which willrmove the glass holder 21 directly in front of the person. Theperson may drink and the glass may be satisfactorily tilted by reason of the springs 64 and the trunnion 62.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the'invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, which I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patient is:

1. In a device of the class described, a table, a plate upon said table, means=for holding said plate in various rotative positions operable by a pressible plunger movable with a persons chest, a horizontal bevel gear above said table, means for rotating said bevel gear mounted on said table, a frame on said table, a carriage slidable in said frame, leg control means for holding said carriage in various fixed positions, a substantially horizontal feeding spoon for automatic operation in association with said plate and mounted with a ball and socket structure on said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said spoon, means for periodically rotating said vertical gear one revolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in one position of the carriage for operation of the feeding spoon, a feeding fork mounted on a substantially horizontal arm mounted with a ball and socket structure upon said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said substantially horizontal arm, means for periodically rotating said last mentioned vertical gear one revolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in a certain position of the carriage for operation of said feeding fork, disc cutting knives mounted upon said carriage, and means for operating said knives including a bevel gear engageable with said horizontal bevel gear in a third position of said carriage.

2. In a device of the class described, a table, a plate upon'said table, means for holding said plate in various rotative positions operable by a pressible plunger movable with a persons chest,

' a horizontalbevel gear above said table, means for rotating said bevel gear mounted on said table, a frame on said table, a carriage slidable in said frame, leg control means for holding said carriage in various fixed positions, a substantially horizontal feeding spoon for automatic operation in association with said plate and mounted with a ball and socket structure on said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said spoon, means for periodically rotating said vertical gear one revolution and including a bevelgear engageable for its operationwith said horizontal bevel gear in one position of the carriage for operation of the feeding spoon, a feeding fork mounted on a substantially horizontal arm mounted with a ball and socket structure upon said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said substantially horizontal arm, means forperiodically rotating said last mentioned vertical gear one revotion and includingla bevel gear engageable for. its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in a certain position of the carriage for operation of said feeding fork, disc cutting knives mounted upon said carriage, and means for operating said knives including a bevel gear engageable with said horizontal bevel gear in a third position of said carriage, said means for holding the plate in various rotative positions comprising teeth upon said idepressible plunger and engageable with teeth formed uponthe base of said plate, said base being rotatably mounted in a circular recess formed in the top of thetable.

3. In a device of the class described, a table, a plate upon said table, means for holding said plate in various rotative positions operable by a pressible plunger movable with a persons chest, a horizontal bevel. gear above said table, a frame on said table, a carriage slidable in said frame, leg control means for holding said carriage in various fixed positions, a substantially horizontal feeding spoon for automatic operation in association with said plate, and mounted with a ball and socket structure on said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said spoon, means for periodically rotating said vertical gear one revolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in one position of the carriage for operation of the feeding spoon, a feeding fork mounted on a substantially horizontal arm mounted with a ball and socket structure upon said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with therear of said substantially horizontal arm, means for periodically rotating said last mentioned vertical gear one revolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in a certain position of the carriage for operation of said feeding fork, disc cutting knives mounted upon said carriage, and means for operating said knives including a bevel gear engageable with said horizontal bevel gear in a third position of said carriage, said means for rotating said horizontal bevel gear comprising an electric motor mounted beneath said table, a gear reduction system connected with said electric motor and also connected with said horizontal bevel gear.

4. In a device of the class described, a table, a plate upon'said table, means for holding said plate in various rotative positions operable by a pressible plunger movable with a persons chest, a horizontal bevel gear above said table, means for rotating said'bevel gear mounted on said table, a frame onsaid table, a carriage slidable in said frame Ieg control means for holding said carriage in various fixed positions, a substantially horizontal feeding spoon for automatic operation in association with said plate and mounted with a ball and socket structure on said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said spoon, means for periodically rotating said vertical gear one revolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in one position of the carriage for operationof the feeding spoon, a feeding fork zontal arm, means for periodically rotating said last mentioned vertical gear one revolution and including a bevel gearengageable for its opera-- tion with said horizontal bevel gear in a certain position of the carriage for operation of said feeding fork, disc cutting knives mounted upon said carriage, and means for operating said knives including a bevel gear engageable with said horizontal bevel gear in a third position or" said carriage, said leg control means for moving the carriage into the various positions comprising a counterweight connected upon one end of the carriage for urging the carriage in one direction, a cable connected upon the other end of the carriage and connecting with a plurality of branch cables, solenoids with various sized strokes connected with said branch cables and selectively operable.

5. In a device of the class described, a table, a plate upon said table, means for holding said plate in various rotative positions operable by a pressible plunger movable with a persons chest,

a horizontal bevel gear above said table, means for rotating said bevel gear mounted on said table, afrarne on said table, a carriage slidable in said frame, leg control means for holding said carriage in various fixed positions, a substantially horizontal feeding spoon for automatic operation in association with said plateand mounted with a ball and socket structureon said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said spoon, means for periodically rotating said vertical gear onerevolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with said hori zontal bevel gear in one position of the carriage for operation of the feeding spoon, a feeding fork mounted on a substantially horizontal arm mounted with a ball and socket structure upon said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said substantially horizontal arm, means for periodically rotating said last mentioned vertical gear one revolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in a certain position of the carriage for operation of said feeding fork, disc cutting knives mounted upon said carriage, and means for operating said knives including a bevel gear engageable with said horizontal bevel gear in a third position of said carriage, the means for periodically rotating said vertical gears one complete revolution includes a driven gear with certain teeth missing and having sufiicient teeth so as to transmit motion to cause rotation of the vertical gears through 360 degrees only.

6. In a device of the class described, a table, a plate upon said table, means for holding said plate in various rotative positions operable by a pressible plunger movable with a persons chest, a horizontal bevel gear above said table, means for rotating said'bevel gear mounted on said table, a frame on said table, a carriage slidable in said frame, leg control means for holding said carriage in various fixed positions, a substantially horizontal feeding spoon foraut'omatic ope'ration in association with said plate and mounted witha ball and socket structure on said carriage, avertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said spoon, means for periodically rotating saidvertical gearone revolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with saidhorizontal bevel gearfiin one position of the carriage for operation 0 the feeding spoon,

a feeding fork mounted on a substantially hori zontal arm mounted with a ball and socket structure upon said carriage, a vertical gear eccentrically connected with the rear of said substantially horizontal arm, means for periodically rotating said last mentioned vertical'gear one revolution and including a bevel gear. engageable for its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in a certain position or the carriage for operation of said feeding fork, disc cutting knives mounted upon said carriage, and means for operating said knives including a bevel gear engageable with said horizontal bevel gear in a third position of said carriage, said disc cutting knives being mounted within a casing pivotally mounted upon a supplementary casingprojecting from said carriage, resilient means urging said easing into a horizontal position abutting against said supplementary casing, said casing being depressible with the chin to move the cutting knives into the plate for cutting. V v p 7 In a device of the class described, a-table, a plate upon said table, ,means for holding said plate, in various rotative positions operable by a pressible plunger movable with a persons chest,

horizontal bevel gear above said table, means for rotating said, bevelv gear mounted on said table, a frame on said table, a;carriage*slidable said frame, leg control means for holding said carriage in various fixed positions, a substantially horizontal-feeding spoon'ior automatic operaing said vertical one revolution and including a bevel gear engageacle for its operation with said horizontal bevel gear in one position of the carriage for operation of the feeding spoon, a feeding-fork mounted on a substantially horizontal armmountedwith a ball and socket structure upon said carriage, a vertical gear eccentricallyconnected with the rear of said substantially horizontal arm, means for periodically rotating said last mentioned vertical gear one revolution and including a bevel gear engageable for its operation with saidhorizontal bevel gear in a certain position of. the carriagefor operation, of said feeding fork, disc cutting knives; mounted upon said carriage, and means for operating said knives including a bevel gear engageable with said horizontal bevel gear in a third position of said carriage; and a glass holder mounted upon said carriage and adapted to tilt to' various positions to facilitate drinking from a glass held thereby.

' ANTHONY L. MELUCCL. 

